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Protect and recover · Lesson 8 of 11

Keep Your Devices Up to Date and Spot Fake Virus Warnings

Turn on automatic updates, check the virus protection you already have, close fake virus warnings and set up phone finding before you need it.

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Cover picture for lesson 8: Keep Your Devices Up to Date and Spot Fake Virus WarningsVideo coming soon
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THE WRITTEN LESSONFollow along at your pace

This lesson closes the third door attackers use: software that was never updated. Many updates fix weak spots that criminals already know how to use, so letting them install is one of the easiest ways to stay safe. You will also learn to spot a fake virus warning, and to set up phone finding while nothing is wrong.

An update is a patch for a gap

A weak spot in your software is like a gap in a fence. An update often carries a patch, which is a repair for that gap. But a patch only protects you once it is installed. A phone that keeps postponing its updates keeps open a door its maker has already offered to close.

A fence of six rounded posts where the fourth is a dark blue post labelled Patch, with a check mark, above a label that says Protected once installed. Beside it, an Update card with an Install button and a label that says Patch = a repair.(opens the full-size picture)
The repair only counts once it is installed.

Turn on automatic updates

So turn on automatic updates on your phone, your computer, your apps and your browser, the app you use for websites. Then you don’t have to remember. And when your device asks to restart, say yes, rather than putting it off. The “Later” button is where this habit usually breaks.

Four cards, Phone, Computer, Apps and Browser (the app you use for websites), each with an Automatic updates switch turned on. Below them, a Restart now? box with Later and Restart buttons, and Restart marked with a check.(opens the full-size picture)
Four switches to turn on, and one button to say yes to.

Older devices stop getting fixes

Makers eventually stop sending updates to older devices. An old tablet may still work perfectly while missing every fix, and a device that no longer gets security updates is less safe. Check once whether each of your devices still gets updates. If one doesn’t, consider moving your banking and email to a device that does.

A Maker box linked by dotted lines to two devices. On the left, an older screen with an amber label: Works fine, no more fixes. On the right, a phone with a check mark and a blue label, Still gets updates, next to cards for Banking and Email.(opens the full-size picture)
Keep banking and email on a device that still gets updates.

The protection you already have

Most people already have the virus protection they need, built in. Windows, Mac and Android computers and phones include a virus scanner, so just check it is switched on. iPhones work differently: they keep each app in its own sealed box, so one app can’t reach into the others. A paid security suite is mostly about extras, so you rarely need it for better protection.

A banner says Most people already have what they need. Below it, Windows, Mac and Android devices each show a shield with a check, the label Virus scanner built in and a switch set to On. An iPhone shows app tiles with locks and the label Each app in its own sealed box.(opens the full-size picture)
Your job is to check that it is switched on.

A fake virus warning

Sometimes a web page fills your screen and says your device is infected. It flashes a warning and urges you to scan now, or call a number, before you stop to think. This is often called scareware, and it is there to sell you something or to get you on the phone. Treat it as a scam.

An example browser window at security-alert.example.com, filled with a red warning: Virus found! Your device is infected, with Scan now and Call now buttons. A red label beside it says Treat it as a scam.(opens the full-size picture)
A web page cannot check your device for viruses.

Don’t call the number, and don’t tap any of its buttons. Close the page, or the whole browser if the page won’t go away. If you want to be sure, open your device’s own security app from your menu and run a scan there. If you already paid, tell your bank and report it to your country’s fraud reporting service.

Under the heading Close it, don't call, a button that says Close the page, and two cards: Already paid? Tell your bank, and Report it to your country's fraud reporting service.(opens the full-size picture)
Close it first. If you paid, call your bank.

Where apps come from

Some harmful programs dress up as useful apps. Install apps only from your device’s official app store, or the maker’s own website. Be careful with download links in messages and ads: the top search result for a free tool, for example a free PDF editor, may be a paid ad for a lookalike site. Typing the maker’s web address yourself is safer.

An example app called Free PDF editor with a red bug icon. Two cards with blue checks say Official app store and Maker's own website. Two cards with amber warnings show an example message, Get it free: download.example.com, and a Free download ad.(opens the full-size picture)
Two safe places to get apps, and two to be careful with.

Turn on phone finding

Last, turn on phone finding. It lets you find, lock or erase a lost phone from another device, such as a computer. But it has to be on before you need it: if it was off when the phone went missing, you may not be able to lock or erase it later.

A phone left on a sofa, with a Phone finding switch turned on, linked by a dashed line to a map on a laptop that shows its location, with Find, Lock and Erase buttons. A label says Turn it on before you need it.(opens the full-size picture)
Set it up while nothing is wrong.

YOUR TURN

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Read the full lesson script

In this lesson, you will close the third door attackers use, software that was never updated. It matters because many updates fix weak spots that criminals already know about.

A weak spot is like a gap in a fence. An update often carries a patch, a repair for that gap. But a patch only protects you once it is installed.

So turn on automatic updates on your phone, your computer, your apps, and your browser, the app you use for websites. And when your device asks to restart, say yes.

Makers eventually stop sending updates to older devices. An old tablet may still work perfectly while missing every fix. If yours gets no more updates, consider moving your banking and email to one that does.

Most people already have the virus protection they need, built in. Windows, Mac and Android include a virus scanner, so just check it is switched on. iPhones keep each app in its own sealed box instead.

Sometimes a web page fills your screen and says your device is infected. It urges you to scan now, or call a number. Treat it as a scam.

Don't call, and don't tap its buttons. Close the page, or the whole browser if it won't go away. If you already paid, tell your bank and your country's fraud reporting service.

Some harmful programs dress up as useful apps. Install apps only from your device's official app store, or the maker's own website. Be careful with download links in messages and ads.

Last, turn on phone finding. It lets you find, lock or erase a lost phone from another device. But it has to be on before you need it.

So, let updates install themselves, and treat any page that says your device is infected as a scam. Before the next lesson, check your phone and your computer, and make sure automatic updates are on. Next, you will make your Wi-Fi safer, at home and away.